Talk Radio
Talk Radio
by Eric Bogosian
September 12 - 27, 2014
Eric Bogosian’s Talk Radio—his breakthrough 1987 Public Theater hit that was made into a film by Oliver Stone—was revived in 2007 in a “mesmerizing” (Newsday) production on Broadway, with Liev Schreiber playing the role of the late-night shock jock that Bogosian himself originated. The drama is set in the studio of Cleveland’s WTLK Radio over the course of Barry Champlain’s two-hour broadcast, being scrutinized that night by producers with an interest in taking the show national, and fueled as always by coffee, cocaine, and Jack Daniel’s. Barry’s jousts with his unseen callers—ranging from a white supremacist to a woman obsessed with her garbage disposal—are peppered with insights into his character from his ex-deejay pal and his sometime girlfriend/producer, and punctuated with a transformative visit from an embodied voice.
“YOUR FEAR, YOUR OWN LIVES, HAVE BECOME YOUR ENTERTAINMENT.”
Set in 1987 it is a darkly satiric play about a radio announcer, host of a call in program which explores the modern obsession with disembodied advice and conversation.
Pulitzer Prize Finalist in Drama 1988
Eric Bogosian is a writer and actor who over the last twenty years has authored five full-length plays and created six full-length solos for himself, including subUrbia; Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll; Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead; and Drinking in America. He is the recipient of three OBIE Awards and a Drama Desk Award, and has toured throughout the United States and Europe.
reviews
“A taut production… a gut spilling, stomach wrenching performance by the cast. Made me just about forget about Eric Bogosian and Liev Schreiber. Do yourself a favor and take the 7 train to Long Island City.”
— Jim Taylor, CBS Radio Review
“This is the way theatre is supposed to be… Kirk Gostkowski’s Barry is electrifying…Director Greg Cicchino deserves high praise for presenting a brisk, exciting and raw evening of comedy and drama at the lovely Chain Theatre, an intimate space that allowed the audience to be thrust right into the action of the play with the actors, experiencing what they experience…Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to an evening of Talk Radio at The Chain Theatre and you will enjoy an engaging evening of indie theatre at its best, with stellar performances across the board.”
— Why Leave Astoria?!
5 STAR REVIEW: “Riveting…There is nothing better than theatre that gives you ideas to mull over on the way home, and then when you get home, and then the next morning when you wake up. The actors that dispatch these ideas here do so with a talent as elegant as the arc of their story.”
— The Public Reviews
“Champlain is played with unwavering focus… Gostkowski is up to the task, and remains in charge from start to finish. He smokes, drinks, sweats, swears and carries on multiple conversations seemingly simultaneously…Interestingly, it is the unseen callers who are among the most memorable personalities. A small group of actors provides the varied voices splendidly…Under the astute direction of Greg Cicchino, the play remains gripping throughout.”
— Queens Chronicle
“It’s wonderful watching Kirk Gostkowski work his magic. Rewarding and relevant. A fun ride!”
— Theatre is Easy
Director: Greg Cicchino
Production Design: Aaron Gonzalez
Sound Design: Greg Russ
Stage Manager: Sebastian Gutierrez
Starring
Barry Champlain: Kirk Gostkowski
Stu Noonan: Patrick Pizzolorusso*
Linda Macarthur: Christina Elise Perry*
Dan Woodruff: Timothy J. Cox*
Kent: Gordon Palagi
Debbie, Female Caller: Lauren Allison
Dr. Susan Fleming, Female Caller: Kelly Jean Clair*
Ruth, Female Caller: Rebecca Hoodwin*
Chet, Male Caller: Mark A. Keeton*
Bernie, Male Caller: Peter Osterweil
Spike: Sebastian Gutierrez
Sid Greenberg, Male Caller: Doug Shapiro*
Stu Noonan (Select Performances): Nick Fondulis*
*Actors appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association